Ballymacward Primary School

Overview

This follow-up inspection report concludes that Ballymacward Primary School “needs to address important areas for improvement.” While significant progress has been made since the 2016 inspection, particularly in literacy, the school remains under scrutiny for leadership and consistency in upper key stage 2. The ETI will conduct a further follow-up inspection in 12–18 months.

Strengths

• Outcomes and provision in literacy are now “good,” with children working confidently and presenting work to a “good standard.”
• Literacy coordination is “comprehensive,” featuring rigorous monitoring, evaluation, and effective use of data to set targets.
• Governance is effective, with governors exercising “support and challenge functions to good effect” and being better informed about outcomes.
• Classroom assistants provide “valuable support” to teachers, reinforcing and extending children’s learning throughout the school.

Areas to improve

• The school must “monitor carefully the provision in upper KS 2” to ensure consistency in learning experiences and outcomes.
• Strategic leadership of the school requires further improvement to meet the needs of all children and raise standards.
• Individual education plans need greater clarity, as strategies do not always align closely enough with individual targets.

Safeguarding

The report does not contain specific commentary or findings regarding safeguarding arrangements.